Purple. The foundation of an influential trade in a Roman world dominated by men. One woman rises up to take the reins of success in an incredible journey of courage, grit, and friendship. And along the way, she changes the world.But before she was Lydia, the seller of purple, she was simply a merchant’s daughter who loved three things: her father, her ancestral home, and making dye. Then … dye. Then unbearable betrayal robs her of nearly everything.
With only her father’s secret formulas left, Lydia flees to Philippi and struggles to establish her business on her own. Determination and serendipitous acquaintances—along with her father’s precious dye—help her become one of the city’s preeminent merchants. But fear lingers in every shadow, until Lydia meets the apostle Paul and hears his message of hope, becoming his first European convert. Still, Lydia can’t outrun her secrets forever, and when past and present collide, she must either stand firm and trust in her fledgling faith or succumb to the fear that has ruled her life.
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Love this book, very interesting!
Wonderful historical novel set in the time Jesus walked the earth. Gives a logical and surprising backstory to a character you will recognize, bot not at the beginning. Includes any motional love story and a happy ending.
Another winner! I’ve read or listened to every Tessa Afshar book & enjoyed them all. Bread of Angels is by turns touching, suspenseful, and uplifting. I especially appreciate how narrator Rendah Heywood brought Lydia to life. Can’t wait for Tessa’s next story!
This was my third Tessa Afshar book and as always it was a great read. This story follows Lydia as she tries to make a life for herself as seller of purple. She learned how to make purple dye from her father who had perfected the trade, and was respected in the community. However, circumstances have her fleeing on her own and trying to establish herself as a seller of purple in a world that doesn’t let women succeed by themselves.
Once again Tessa Afshar has left me so inspired with the wisdom that she weaves into each of her stories. I love that her novels are so full of actual biblical inspiration and truth. On top of that her character writing is top notch. In this story in particular the friendship between Lydia and Rebekah was so heartwarming. Rather than a typical romance this book had a life giving friendship at its center. I truly enjoyed reading Lydia’s story and seeing her growth as a character and her faith in God grow.
Tessa Afshar is an incredible story teller. I could not put it down!
It follows alot of what the Bible says.
Tessa Afshar has a gift for bringing this period in history to life. Lydia’s story is tenderly told, but it doesn’t flinch from the ugliness of life. Lydia suffers betrayal on several levels. She also experiences the grace of God in unexpected places and from unlikely people. It’s a beautiful journey well worth reading.
As always,Tessa Afshar delivers a great Christian read!
I love these stories. This one started off a little slowly and I wasn’t sure that I’d like it but it kept getting better and better. Loved some of the characters and the wisdom that they shared. Please keep writing.
Great fictional account of Lydia, the purple cloth merchant and 1st Christian in Phillipi.
I loved how she wove the story about Lydia
The Bible story of Lydia from the New Testament. Her struggles and persistence to survive and thrive in times when women were not supposed to have their own business. Her faith helped her achieve more than she ever expected. She met Paul and his companions and hosted them to experience wonderful day to day miracles.
Really enjoyed learning about the purple dying business and what life was like in the first century AD. The characters were realistic yet inspirational. It’s enjoyable to read a book with no curse words and steamy sex scenes.
An accomplished wordsmith, Tessa Afshar has written Bread of Angels with precision, heart, and purpose. Each well-tuned phrase, simile, and scene, serves to immerse readers into Lydia’s first-century life. I read the prologue like one might enjoy the first bite of a decadent cake, and in the same way it left me wanting more!
The book opens in Thyatira (AD 25) and moves to Philippi where it concludes in the year 50 AD. It’s in Thyatira that a great deception takes place which really sets the story into motion. I confess I was neither taken in by Jason’s affections nor duped by Dione’s scheming. This was due in part to how Lydia confessed her love for Jason, while contradicting her words by her actions.
A favorite character of mine entered the story just before Lydia heeds her father’s advice to flee to Philippi. Rebekah, an unmarried Jewess, won my affections with her gentle spirit. In time, her personal understanding of the character of God as well as her loyal friendship prepares the way for Lydia to accept the gospel. Furthermore, Afshar uses their fathers to make the beautiful, albeit stark comparison, between our earthly and Heavenly Father.
The leap to AD 50 ushers in the appearance of Paul and Silas as well as the miraculous works recounted in Acts 16. As always, Afshar handles the absolutes of scripture with respect, while using creative license to color between the lines. I am so fascinated by early church history that Lydia’s time with Paul was the portion of the story I savored the most. Bread of Angels is a compelling and satisfying work of biblical fiction.
Christian Shelf-Esteem received a book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255 Guidelines, concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.
I really enjoyed reading this book. A great historical novel.
Loved this book. I love biblical fiction and Tessa is one of the best at weaving a story that is both believable and true to the scriptures. I couldn’t put it down.
I loved every page of this book. Tessa Afshar is a talented writer, gifted with the ability to carry her audience back to Biblical time period and generates a sense of being with her characters. I wish there were more fictional writers who specialize in biblical history, but am certainly thankful for this wonderful author!
So much to think about when reading her books.
An interesting Historical Novel about Lydia, of Thyatira. She was “a woman of means” in a society where women were not often taken seriously as leaders, let alone businesswomen!
Tessa Afshar loves the Word and wove His principles and scriptures into the chapter narratives. She brought to live the characters mentioned in the Bible and gave them realistic backstories before they were introduced to the Way.